East San Gabriel Valley SELPA News

As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close across the East San Gabriel Valley SELPA Local Educational Agencies, we are thrilled to see graduations, promotions, and events being held to celebrate student success and the dedication of educators, staff, volunteers, and parents across the SELPA. The SELPA wishes all staff, students, and families a recharging and enjoyable summer!

The SELPA will continue to work closely with our local educational agencies (LEAs) to support their Extended School Year sessions and preparation for the 2025-2026 regular school year. Any staff, parents, or students seeking support are encouraged to contact the SELPA at 626-966-1679.

Editions of the East San Gabriel Valley SELPA Newsletter will be released in the fall, winter, and summer of each school year. For questions, assistance, to be featured in a future newsletter, or to notify us of any events or activities throughout the SELPA, please contact us at 626-966-1679.

The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a tool for local educational agencies to set goals, plan actions, and allocate resources to meet those goals, thereby improving student outcomes.

Under Education Code, Local Educational Agencies are required to consult with their Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to determine that specific actions support students with disabilities.

To meet this requirement, between March and June, the SELPA meets with all LEAs and/or attends standing LCAP meetings to consult on various areas of the LCAP, such as how the LCAP addresses the needs of students with disabilities in the plan and the alignment of LCAP activities with improvement on State Performance Plan Indicators for students with disabilities.

We would like to thank all our member LEA's for taking the time to schedule and conduct the annual LCAP consultation meetings. The SELPA met countless administrators, teachers, related services staff, parents, students, and volunteers who all participated in LCAP meetings in an effort to improve outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities.

On May 9th, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hosted and celebrated the 5th Annual Making A Difference Award Ceremony, where we recognized four outstanding individuals from LEAs throughout our SELPA for their dedication to promoting the inclusion of students and fostering relationships with educators, students, and families. All winners were celebrated live via Zoom with their families, friends, classmates, coworkers, administrators, and teachers.

Congratulations to all our nominees for your hard work, dedication, and the difference you make!

Awarded for her contributions

as a Student at Walnut Valley

Unified School District.

Each Spring, SELPA administrators, parents of students with disabilities, and other educational leaders meet with their legislators to discuss special education issues impacting students, families, and educators.

On April 30th, two active members of our Community Advisory Committee and two students, along with the ESGV SELPA Executive Director, attended the 2025 Legislative Sharing Day in Sacramento, where they had the opportunity to meet with their respective legislators and voice their support for important legislative bills.

A huge thank you to Gloria Clark, Christopher Clark, Aida Amare, and Ethan Thomas for attending this event. Chris and Ethan were able to recognize State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond after his keynote speech, providing him with an award on behalf of the SELPA Administrators of California in front of an audience of 300 people!

For up-to-date ESGV SELPA Community Advisory Committee events, activities, and highlights, please visit the ESGV SELPA CAC social media page Linktr.ee. For questions or assistance please email the ESGV SELPA CAC at cac@esgvselpa.org. Thank you!

Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) are required to adopt a budget by July 1st of each year. Our member LEAs are in the midst of developing their budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Included in the budget is the amount of Special Education revenue estimated to be allocated by the SELPA to each LEA. Allocation of revenue to our member LEAs is based on our SELPA’s approved local allocation plans. The allocation is based on various factors, including Average Daily Attendance (ADA), Special Education pupil counts, and cost reimbursement. Initial projections of the AB 602 and Federal IDEA grants revenue for the fiscal year 2025/2026 have been provided to the member LEAs. The allocation models for the various funding sources are updated throughout the year as new information becomes available. Our AB 602 State Special Education funding will receive the statutory cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.3%, a rate slightly lower than previously estimated.

As soon as the Adopted Budget process is completed, LEAs will shift to the year-end closing process, which occurs throughout the summer months. This process ensures that the LEAs financial transactions throughout the 2024/2025 fiscal year are reviewed and properly recorded according to the accounting standards.

Business Administrator’s meetings are conducted throughout the year at the SELPA office, with CBOs/Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, and Fiscal Services staff in attendance. These meetings provide an opportunity for the SELPA Executive Director and Financial Operations Analyst to discuss fiscal-related topics, including legislative updates related to Special Education funding, grant funding and reporting requirements, SELPA budget updates, contracts and agreements that the SELPA administers, and other topics. It is also an opportunity for our member LEA’s business administrators to connect with each other, pose questions, and share valuable information on various topics. Our Business Administrators and Fiscal Services staff have done a tremendous job in overseeing the financial activities of their LEAs in the past fiscal year. We look forward to working with our LEAs during the year-end closing process.

For assistance or for any fiscal-related questions please contact the SELPA Financial Operations Analyst Michelle Dela Cruz at 626-966-1679. Thank you!

As we wrap up the 2024/2025 school year, there are several important deadlines and updates for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to keep in mind. End of Year (EOY) CALPADS reporting officially kicked off on Tuesday, May 6th! LEAs will continue to submit SPED records to CALPADS and resolve any data discrepancies and certification errors that may arise. By Friday, June 6th, Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) rating records must be entered into SEIS.

Additionally, IEP implementation data is due by July 1st, 2025. In May, the California Department of Education provided a list of students for LEAs to carefully review. As with previous years, the ESGV SELPA will create a calculator once the lists are received. The ESGV SELPA is available during open office hours for questions and additional support.

Looking ahead, LEAs should note that the Student Degree of Support field will become a required part of reporting beginning with the 2025/2026 school year. The Student Degree of Support field is only required to be populated for students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in grades Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12 identified with the following primary or secondary disabilities:

• Intellectual Disability (ID)

• Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

• Emotional Disability (ED)

• Other Health Impairment (OHI)

• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

• Deaf-blindness (DB)

• Multiple Disabilities (MD)

• Autism (AUT)

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The SELPA will convene trainings with key LEA staff involved in CALPADS reporting to support the collection of this data at the local level. We want to express thanks to our LEAs for all the hard work and attention to these important tasks as we head into the summer!

For technical support or assistance with CALPADS, please contact Lucky Do, Data Management Systems Analyst, at 626-966-1679 or ldo@esgvselpa.org.

The SELPA ASD Program has adopted the element "GOLD" as our symbol.

Not only does the AU represent Autism, but it also represents the fact that our students,

families, and staff are precious, rare, and highly valued.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jennifer Yaxley – Recipient of the “Making a Difference Award”! On May 9, we were thrilled to celebrate Mrs. Jennifer Yaxley from the Sellers Autism Classroom in Glendora USD, who was honored with the prestigious “Making a Difference Award” by our Community Advisory Committee. Among a highly competitive pool of nominees, Mrs. Yaxley stood out for her seventeen years of unwavering dedication, her humble and collaborative approach to instruction, and her ongoing commitment to learning and growing alongside her students. Her efforts exemplify what it means to be an advocate and educator for individuals with autism. We are incredibly grateful for the nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment Mrs. Yaxley creates for her students every day. Congratulations, Mrs. Yaxley – and thank you for truly making a difference

Together with incredible paraeducators and special education staff, Salem Robles, our ASD - Intermediate Education Specialist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) program at Diamond Bar High School in Walnut Valley USD, planned, presented, and led an engaging and interactive professional development session for staff during a Staff Development Day during April in honor of Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month on campus.

The session began with a dynamic presentation on the learning characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum, helping staff build a deeper understanding of how our students experience and process the world around them. Salem then guided participants through a series of hands-on activities designed to simulate and reinforce the use of effective classroom supports.

Staff had the opportunity to engage in sensory-based tasks, utilize a communication board through a game-based activity, and participate in an open Q&A session.

The interactive format provided valuable insight and practical tools for creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments.

It was an inspiring and eye-opening experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended!

Evergreen Elementary School in Walnut Valley USD recently hosted a vibrant and engaging Sensory Day, led by ASD-Intermediate Education Specialists Cassandra Loyd and Brittany Saucedo. This inclusive event invited all students across campus to participate in hands-on activities designed to build awareness and empathy for individuals with diverse sensory needs.

Each classroom had the opportunity to visit and learn how individuals with different abilities experience and interact with their environment. Through thoughtful, student-friendly experiences, Sensory Day encouraged understanding, connection, and a celebration of neurodiversity.

A big thank you to Ms. Loyd and Ms. Saucedo for their continued commitment to creating inclusive, meaningful learning opportunities for all! Special thanks to our principal, Dr. Gabriel Cardenas, for supporting this annual event!

In April, Gladstone Elementary proudly hosted its third annual “Be You” Night, a beloved schoolwide event celebrating diversity, inclusion, and community. Coordinated by our Demonstration Site team of dedicated teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, our amazing Occupational Therapist, PTA members, with strong support from Principal Mr. Philip Heng, the evening invited families to come together and celebrate both their similarities and differences.

Attendees explored a variety of interactive stations that offered insight into the experiences of neurodiverse individuals. Families had the opportunity to navigate activities using communication boards, create sensory-friendly items, experience the use of visual supports, and try out adaptive equipment. The event fostered empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the unique perspectives each student brings to the school community.

It was a fun, meaningful, and memorable evening for all who attended—thank you to our Demonstration Site Team for all of your hard work can collaboration to make this event a success!

A little bit of weather was not going to stop the fun for this group! The Covina-Valley Special Education Department recently hosted a vibrant and inclusive celebration, bringing together students, staff, and families for a day filled with joy and connection. This heartwarming event was a true collaboration—carefully planned and supported by the Special Education Department, Student Services, Educational Services, the Maintenance and Tech Crews, and enthusiastic ASB students from Covina and Las Palmas High Schools.

The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including class races, face painting, a ribbon dance party, pool noodle javelin toss, and so much more! It was a beautiful reflection of teamwork, creativity, and community spirit.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the incredible parents, teachers, staff, and service providers whose time, energy, and support helped make the day such a success. Together, this team created lasting memories and celebrated the power of inclusion in action! Thank you for including the ESGV SELPA Autism team in this event.

This spring has been full of exciting developments and well-deserved celebrations in the Transportation department. In May, we proudly celebrated School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, a time to recognize our Durham bus drivers' incredible dedication and hard work. These individuals are the first and last faces many students see each day, and their commitment to safety and reliability is truly commendable. We honored them with thank-you cards and heartfelt messages from students and staff, demonstrating just how much they mean to our school community.

We are also excited to welcome Reginald Young as the new General Manager of Durham School Services. Reginald brings over two decades of experience in transportation leadership and has a strong track record of operational excellence and community engagement. His leadership style emphasizes safety, efficiency, and team development, and we are already witnessing the positive impact of his presence. We look forward to collaborating with Reginald to enhance our transportation services for our LEAs.

Looking ahead, the SELPA transportation office is preparing to launch a new routing software called Traversa this summer. This advanced system will significantly enhance our ability to plan and manage student transportation. With improved route accuracy and adaptability, Traversa will help us provide more efficient and reliable service to our students and families. It’s a significant step forward in modernizing our transportation operations. The SELPA Transportation office is dedicated to continually exploring and integrating innovative technology solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of student transportation. By remaining at the forefront of advancements in transportation systems, we ensure that students have access to safe, dependable, and efficient transportation every day.

We’re excited about these advancements and their positive changes to our transportation department. As always, we welcome your feedback and look forward to continuing to serve our students and families with excellence. For transportation related questions please contact 626-966-1670, option 2.

It has been a busy season for our Private Schools! Fall and Winter were filled with school visits, classroom observations, in-person and virtual consultations, and customized professional development. This momentum carried into Spring with two exciting Professional Learning opportunities. Mentor teachers from Teaching Inside Out led a well-received Social Emotional Learning (SEL) workshop, equipping participants with practical tools and resources to support a shared understanding of SEL. The authors of the book FLIPP The Switch 2.0, Dr. Sheri Wilkins and Carol Burmeister, led a hands-on, two-day Make and Take workshop where participants created ready-to-use materials to help students who struggle with Executive Function skills. As we wrap up the year, we’re preparing an updated list of private schools and contacts to ensure continued communication and support going into the new school year.

Walnut Valley USD - HARTT Commencement 2025 - May 24, 2025

Covina-Valley USD - Adult Transition Program Graduation - May 29, 2025

Baldwin Park USD - Project Search Graduation - May 29, 2025

Baldwin park USD - Adult Transition Program Graduation - June 3, 2025

The ESGV SELPA is composed of 16 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with a combined average daily attendance of approximately 86,000 students. Member LEAs include Azusa USD, Baldwin Park USD, Bassett USD, Bonita USD, Charter Oak USD, Claremont USD, Covina-Valley USD, Glendora USD, Walnut Valley USD, West Covina USD, San Jose Charter Academy, California Virtual Academy @ LA, iQ Academy, Opportunities for Learning-Baldwin Park, Options for Youth-San Bernardino, and Options for Youth-Duarte.

Email: sturner@esgvselpa.org
Website: www.esgvselpa.org
Location: 1400 Ranger Drive, Covina, CA, USA
Phone: (626) 966-1679